Last week, I had the pleasure of spending some time in the beautiful state of Maine. My husband and I have been talking about family vacations and we’ve talked about making a point to visit some of the national parks, but that’s all we did. Talk about it in “some day” terms. We finally just did it. And it was so great.
We visited Acadia, which was beautiful…
…and saw our boys enjoy nature and each other (most of the time)…
…and I had a chance to slow down and appreciate simple things like colorful buoys lined up against faded wood shingles, the smell of sea salt and my toes in the sand.
Aside from a couple of hoodies, I didn’t buy much (although I did rubberneck at some antique shops…) I did bring home three big bags of shells collected from the private beaches around our house, some drift wood and some buoys given to use by the owner of the cottage we rented.
I initially planned to comb the beaches for shells while my boys were playing sticks and throwing rocks into the water, but combing became a favorite activity for the entire family. I showed my boys the kind of shells I was looking for and they brought tons of them to me (along with some they thought were beautiful.)
My husband was especially enthusiastic when he took off his shoes, rolled up his pant legs and waded in the frigid waters to get me some of these huge shells during low tide…
…that is love.
That beach was a treasure trove for shells. They were at least 3 feet deep in some places.
I did make one little business purchase…
…these adorable blue and white paper straws.
I can’t resist something that looks cute in photos. Photogenic straws…I’ve gone off the deep end, haven’t I?
It was a wonderful trip and I’m so thankful to everyone who wrote guest posts while I was away, covered for me at Lucketts and handled all of my administrative stuff.
The winner of the Oreck VersaVac is…
Robbie Canty who said, “Ohhhhhhhh, please pick me! I have a Princess III that is, no lie, at least 30 years old. It weighs almost as much as I do and I loath cleaning with it. I was just thinking (as I was lugging it around yesterday) that I would ask for a new vacuum for Christmas. We have carpet, hardwoods and tile sooooooo it is perrrrrrfect for me. My favorite feature is that it is bagless. My Princess III is so old that I have to research for a week to find replacement bags. Thx.”
It looks like Christmas came early for you this year. Enjoy!
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I wouldn’t be able to resist those straws either lol! But those shells!!! Those are amazing. Reminds me to read Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift From The Sea again. If you are not familiar with it, I am sure that as a woman, a mother, and an entrpreneur, you would love it. Glad you had a great time away!
Beautiful photos Marian!
I love the shells…. I do the same here in California when we go to the beach, I look for shells and drift wood to use for my creativity.
Nature it’s so precious….
Glad you had a wonderful vacation and thanks for sharing your great photos.
Carolina
Ah! Makes me homesick
I know you have been working hard, so I hope you enjoyed your getaway. The shells are just beautiful, one of God’s glorious small wonders!
Grew up traveling to National Parks. Highly recommended.
Grew up traveling to National Parks. Highly recommended.
Didn’t get to those in Maine though — something about my folks and a second honeymoon when they went there. Must have worked — they made it to 58 years before Dad passed this spring.
Just got my name added to the email list
Would love to vacation where shells could be had! We have vacationed in HHI for the past several years and worthwhile shells are not to be found. Could you share where you stayed? [email protected].
Thanks!
Those shells are gorgeous, but more importantly I love that you and your family were able to get away! Time together is crucial, and I know how easy it is to dream and not do. Hope you can keep doing the family vacations! “Photogenic straws…” HA!!
Beautiful photos of your recent trip to Maine. I live in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, which is right next door to Maine. Maine is a favourite destination for Maritimers for shopping and sight seeing along the coast. Acadia National Park is very beautiful indeed. I love the pics of the seashells and the one of your dear boys on the rocks. Have a great day. Blessings, Pamela
One of our most memorable vacations was to Maine when our girls were about the size of your boys. We also went in late Sept. It was magical. We even saw a moose! Not an everyday occurance here in Central Texas….
Congrats to Robbie! Sounds like she will really enjoy it.
I love the buoy picture. This is the kind of thing I would totally photograph myself and appreciate.
I never get tired of collecting seashells and beach pebbles. Each one is like a little treasure.
Dear MMS, So glad you & your family had such a great vacation. It was sweet of you to keep us entertained while you were gone, too. I know this thing you have for the straws … I have them in black & white. Seashells and white ironstone go together beautifully. Hugs, Anne Boykin
We made our first trip to Maine this summer as well! I had wanted to go for years. Our destination was Pemaquid Point. The oldest lighthouse in America and the one that appears on the Maine State quarter was yards from our hotel.
I spent much time visiting sheep farms and yarn shops, as I am a knitter that loves the hunt of special yarn!
So glad your trip was memorable! The shells are beautiful! I returned with shells as well and some rather large pieces of granite. The weight caused me to have to empty my bag at the airport and shift them to my carry on!
ooohhh, those coloured buoys are fantastic! That picture would look great printed and framed…..
I was thinking the same thing. I’m doing an ocean themed nursery and was wondering if I could beg her to send me a copy of it!!! Love the colors!
I just love the shells. It’s my favorite thing to do at the beach. The photos are wonderful. I love that area of Maine. I think I may have to go back this year to share such a beautiful area with my kids.
Ha! Photogenic straws
Love it! I’m soooo jealous of those shells! Down here in FL the shells are so picked over by tourists, that it’s hard to find big ones like that. Amazing!
My parents moved to Florida in 1970 when my dad retired from the Air Force. He took his Master’s degree in Tampa, then picked where to live based on the beach. Bradenton, right near Anna Maria Island. They picked shells for years and stored them in the garage. Every once in a while the beach eroded and needed to be restored. The state would send dredgers out into the ocean and shoot tons of sand back onto the beaches to make them wider. Along would come tons of shells. Pickers went wild. More shells in the garage. In the last fifteen years or so my dad would take a walk on the beach. On his way to the car he would grab a handful of these older, rarer shells from the garage. He would always walk ahead of people on the beach. As he walked he would drop a shell or two every ten or twelve feet, then listen to the shell hunters delight about their rare “find.” Three and a half months before he died at almost ninety two, my dad ran down this same beach and dove into the water to swim for twenty minutes or so. My daughter was afraid he would float out to sea and thought she should have him on a long dog leash. One true Yankee gentleman.
I would also like to know where you vacationed. Shelling is just about my all time favorite activity and I would love to add another destination to my list…
Such beautiful pictures! My husband and I traveled to Maine from here in Texas a couple of years ago at this same time of year, to some of the same spots. You are so right–it is so lovely up there. So glad you took the time with your family!
Thank you for the pictures….I have never been to the north east, and always wanted to…my Hubby and I have a bucket list..and the upper northeast and the ocean are on the list….Your pics are wonderful, and so glad you had a family vacation…hope you guys can plan another soon… you and family deserve!
My family lives in Maine so we visit every year. It is a magical place, especially Acadia. You MUST plan a trip back to go to all of those antique shops. My mom and I take a day every year to go along the coast antiquing. Bring a UHaul!
Oh my god those shells are gorgeous… and i like the photogenic straws too! Sounds like a pretty wonderful time…
Cindy
We didn’t make it to Acadia National Park. We (me, husband, two little boys in Spring 2011) made a loop: Boston, along the coast to Boothbay Harbour, ME, and than through the White Mountains back to Plymouth, MA. It was an amazing trip!! I want to go back one day.
Goedele
So glad you had a great time visiting my home state
It really is a beautiful relaxing place, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing your lovely photos
I love paper straws! gray is my favorite right now!
Awww! I have not had a real vacation this year but it is on my list . I have always collect shells every time I go to the beach. I love the smell of sea salt, a bit of everything I love these straws.
You are really lucky! A lot of beaches just don’t have many shells anymore, especially in Florida. The busiest National Park is Great Smoky National Park which is much closer to you. Rocky Mountain National Park is also nice. I am still waiting to go to Yellowstone. I went to Yosemite for my 30th Anniversary but you should wait until the boys are older. It is a very rugged park with lots of strenuous activities., plus you can get the hantavirus from one camping area there. Yosemite is breathtaking. I have been collecting Yosemite art for almost ten years. The topography is almost a freak of nature. Many people’s favorite park is Glacier National Park in Montana. When you have time, you must all come to Colorado. You can see Mt. Rushmore kind of on the way. We have dinosaur tracks, the Royal Gorge, a mountainside with seven different waterfalls, the Garden of the Gods, two separate areas of cliff dwellings from the ancients, (we don’t say Anasazi anymore) Buffalo Bill Cody’s grave, a spectacular Museum of Natural History, Pike’s Peak where you have a 360 degree view of huge mountains and you can sing American the Beautiful from the top because it was written about Colorado, world class ski mountains, natural hot springs, gold mines, and the richest ancient artifacts area in the world. Plus, 57 mountains that are over 14,000 ft tall, and 300 days of sunshine a year. Something for everyone.
I am so happy you came to visit our beautiful state! And you were practically right next door! I will take you on a secret sea glass excursion next time!
Such beautiful photos of your trip. I love the one of your boys together and those great buoys. It sounds like you were able to soak up sun and feel the restorative force of the sea. Isn’t combing the beach wonderful. We live close to the ocean is Scituate and we love to look for treasures on the beach. We usually find driftwood and sea glass, but not many shells here. So happy you had a wonderful family vacation x
So exciting that you found your way into my neck of the woods! I hope you and your family had an absolutely amazing time and us “Mainahs” treated you well! And what store did you come across those paper straws?! I’ve been trying to find a place to buy those locally!
Love the straws!I got them in red and blue this summer. Loved the stripes. Obviously you are not the only one off the deep end! Hee Hee!!
So glad you had a great vacation – you’ve been awfully busy lately {uh, understatement!}. I love the picture of your little boys and the buoys. Thanks for the great guest hosts you lined up – I love {and need need need} business tips from people who have made their ‘bloggie’ dreams come true.
sounds absolutely perfect. the shells are magnificent!
I love Maine and the ocean…Kennebunkport is my favorite place to visit.